Nursing in America – My Journey so far…
As I look back to my journey so far in being a nurse in America, I realise that it is not the fnds generated by working, or the flexibility of the career, that drives me into wanting to expand my nursing experience, and its not even the American Dream! I concluded that I must have been born to be a nurse, as compassion drives me to search for the next person to care for. This write up would highlight on my determination and eventual transition to being a nurse in America, it would seek to pinpoint, preconception that could be limiting if not overlooked, the disparity of nursing in different structural setting would be reviewed. A concise summary and writer final thought would serve as conclusion.
I was born in Africa, spent my formative and early part of my summative years in Africa, travelled down to London, to begin a new life. An adventurer I would call myself, as I now find myself in America being a nurse. When I was in London, also working as a nurse after a second degree, I would wonder aloud about nursing in America. The stories I heard about the Natioanl Council for Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and ability to transition would have stopped a non-adventurous/explorative mind from venturing into such escapade. But the faint of heart I am not. Contrarily, the more difficult I hear of the transition , the more my interest for exploration. Concretively, Frank Borman (Commander of Apollo 8, first mission to circle the moon) stated that ‘Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit’. Furthermore Meyer (2011) reiterated that ‘man need only to feel the spirit to adventure’. I would read this words of encouragement and tell myself, I will be a nurse in America one day. The notion that nursing in America cannot possible be different from nursing in London, was my only armour. I considered that if I could survive nursing as an African in London, I could easily integrate into nursing in America without all the preconceived nightmarish tales I have heard. According to Orteberg(2001), the height of the mountain is proportional to the preconceived advice drummed into the climber. Nevertheless, I concealed my preconception deep within me, and resurrected courage, devising the process that I should embark on to achieve my explorative goal.
The Essay on Pharmacist Nursing Registered Nurse
Pharmacist Community pharmacists and hospital pharmacists compound and dispense prescribed pharmaceuticals and provide counseling services to both clients and health care providers. They are employed in community and hospital pharmacies, or they may be self-employed. In order to be employed as a pharmacist you require as Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy, as well as practical training under ...
Consequently, I contacted agencies to find out my options in achieving my goal. My enquiries did not amount to anything encouraging, all I seemed to receive were information on how I am not qualified because of certain courses omitted in my academic curriculum. Despite this, I engaged in extensive research on possible states I could apply at, and needless to say, I found out more than the agencies told me.
I was ready to put my findings into action. I chose New York as my first state of Licensure, I submitted my application for educational verification and licensure along with the required fee, and settled myself to wait. As the months went by, and the waiting period extends, I started making calls, and eventually, I received a delightful news, that my education and credentials meets the American Educational standard, and I am eligible to write the dreaded NCLEX exam. The Commission on Graduate of Foreign Nursing School (CGFNs, 2010) verifies foreign nurses’ credentials and educational qualifications and identifies those at risk for failing the U.S nurse licensure exam. Notwithstanding, the 8 months wait for educational verification paled at the realisation that another huddle is yet to be crossed. According to National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCSBN 2010) 26% of foreign trained nurses pass the exam. Hurst (2010) further informed that a percentage of foreign trained nurses attempt the NCLEX more than once. However, I was determined that I will be a nurse in America, even if I need to take the exam more than once. My determination was relentless.
The Essay on Decline Of America In Foreign Policy
Strengths of Foreign Policy Decline Of America In Foreign Policy. Introduction A. Foreign Policy 1. Foreign Policy 2. Areas Foreign Policy Involves 3. Is America On The Decline II. America Is On The Decline A. U. S. Foreign Policy Is Unsound And Ineffective 1. Falling Behind As A World Leader B. Our Policies Are Unsuccessful 1. Loss Of American Powers 2. Loss Of Allies Trust C. Military ...
As I was now in America, I registered to take the exam in Texas, I must inform that I enrolled for the exam three time, and I was third time lucky. I have passed the exam, the process of apply for licensure seemed like a piece of cake, considering the various huddles already scaled. I acquired my license in New York, and simply endorsed it in Texas. With my NCLEX passed and licensure at hand, I started my job application process, this was tedious and disappointing in various ways, considering my lack of work experience in the US. Nevertheless, I brushed that aside, and strengthened my application process. Eventually, I was offer employment and sponsored with the work visa as a nurse in America. My joy could not be contained. Finally, the sky is the limit. I am now a nurse in America!, how hard can nursing in America be?
Consequently, I soon found out there are disparities in nursing, though one would argue that the basic concept of nursing is care and compassion. I found myself not understanding the names of medications, and some terms used. I was not warned or instituted with any preconceived notion on the nursing approach in America. At work, I started to question my competency, my ability to provide high standard of care. Brush et al (2004) reaffirm that the key concern related to foreign nurses is whether they can provide high-quality services to U.S. patients. However, DeParle (2007) argued that when discussing quality in an international context, one must distinguish between people’s ability to perform specific tasks and their ability to communicate effectively with patients and other professionals to provide culturally appropriate care. With this realisation by Steven, I concluded, that my ability to initially integrate was not due to my lack of knowledge or nursing skill, but with the adoption of different structural approach than London.
Subsequently, I structured a way to cope, I attempted knowing the medications in the generic form and connecting them to their brand names, I started to educate my colleagues on other terms used in London for procedure and items which seemed strange to me. With this strategy, I soon found that, I was not confused, nervous, or even frightened to perform my duties. After over a year integration into the community of foreign Nurses in America and 4 months of being a charge nurse, I can say I am very settled in my life as a nurse in America and reaping the opportunities that America, as a nation has to offer to hardworking, dedicated professionals like me. Polsky et at (2007) concurred that migration of international nurses provides individual opportunity for income, security, educational upgrade and money that may not be available in the countries of origin.
The Essay on Health Promotion in Nursing Care
Many years ago, people focused on disease and illness and not staying healthy or preventing illness from occurring. People did not go to the doctor for wellness checks but rather only if they had an ailment. Immunizations have removed some of the diseases that were causing death among the individuals that had contracted the illness. Health promotion has come to the forefront in medical practice ...
In Conclusion. the write up, have highlighted the journey to transition of a foreign trained nurse. The fervent determination of the writer could be viewed from her drive not to give up on her believe of nursing in America. The writer pointed out, the disparity in nursing, with an understanding that the basic nursing care remain universal. However, I wonder, if this write up would resurrect questions in the heart of other foreign nurses in America. It makes me wonder ‘who cares’?. Not that it matters in the general sense, this is my journey, a successful one for that matter.
References
Brush BL, Sochalski J, Berger AM. Imported care: recruiting foreign nurses to U.S health care facilities. Health Aff 9Millwood).
2004; 23:78-87. http://content.healthaffairs.org/content
CGFNS International. VisaScreen statistical data available at: . Accessed september, 10, 2011
DeParle J. A good provider is one who leaves. New York Times Magazine. April 22, 2007. http://content.healthaffairs.org/content
Meyer, J. (2011) Battlefield of the mind: Winning the Battle in your mind. Faithword Book Group. USA.
Polsky D, Ross SJ, Brush BL, Sochalski J. Trend in characteristics and country of origin among foreign-trained nurses in the United State . Am J Publick Health 2007;97 895-899. http://content.healthaffairs.org/content
Ortberg J. (2001) If you want to walk on water, You’ve got to get out of the boat. Zordaven. USA.
